In this section, new and old groups in Perrin’s camp are keeping
secrets. Maybe.
Perrin’s main problems have been presented already, now we
get to see some of the tools and people at his disposal.
The camp promises to be simpler to deal with than his
current predicament. It presents some mild difficulties which are easily dealt
with, as the description of its location implies: The camp lay about a league further on, well back from the road, among
low wooded hills, just beyond a stream that was ten paces’ width of stones and
only five of water never deeper than a man’s knees.
It is composed of three parts: Mayener, Aiel, and Two Rivers
men. The difficulties stem from none of the factions really being sure the
others share the same goal. The newcomers led by Morgase may make yet another
faction, despite that Lini is advocating that they try fit into their new roles
since their old lives are done with.
The factions differ on several issues, including whether
Perrin should fly his banners, and whether Masema should be killed or brought
to heel. While Perrin worries over the untold secrets among his current followers,
he accepts at face value the story told by Morgase’s followers. Even his wife’s
own followers have secret missions they carry out on Faile’s behalf!
Faile’s idea to fly the banners to distract attention away
from Perrin’s true objective brings some comments from Perrin: Quicksilver. A kingfisher flashing by faster
than thought. Both descriptions of Faile’s idea not only imply speed, but the
quality of her idea, and her rank or position as well. Kingfishers may not be
the only fast birds, but the words king and fisher offer the idea of leadership
and correctness. Silver implies wealth and rarity.
With Perrin being so trusting, details about what the
factions are up to can only be delivered by points of view of those involved in
them, so Faile and Morgase sections tell us about their plans and plights. Even
after Dumai’s Wells, Faile thinks kidnapping is the best means to get to Alliandre.
Rand may not appreciate having his allies treated the way he was, even if
handled gently.
The fear of hidden agendas is everywhere. The farriers worry
that Perrin has some ulterior motive in examining their work with horseshoes
when all he wants is a chance to do something for himself instead of people
scurrying to serve him.
Unintentionally, Perrin finds himself doing the exact sort
of subterfuge he dislikes, laying rumours among the Mayeners about his
intentions regarding Manetheren, and somehow gaining more direct support from
them while Berelain is away. It’s not something a ruler is bound to like.
Finally Perrin accuses the Aiel Wise Ones of having secret
plans for the Aes Sedai, possibly involving murder. The Wise Ones and Aes Sedai
both tell him to mind his own business, this is just normal apprenticing,
though it began against the Wise Ones intentions. They also hide nothing
regarding Masema, they would prefer him dead, sooner rather than later.
In general, things are not what they seem at the surface.
Those who seem to be hiding secrets are not, while Perrin overlooks the many
secrets being hidden by those he trusts. We’ve now met everyone in the camp
except the Asha’man, but there will soon be more new arrivals. Overall it feels
like an exceptionally long introduction to the people tagging along with Perrin.
As I postulated back in Perrin’s section which open The Dragon Reborn, one reason Perrin’s sections may seem to move
slower is because they are Perrin sections. His manner of observing and taking
action demands a slower pace, and a very complete oversight of all the relevant
people and places around him. Portraying Perrin as a slow and methodical person
would be more difficult if his Point of View chapters jumped about rapidly. This
translates into impatience for the reader.
Writing Lessons:
You can portray character by the pacing, tone, and setting
of the story, not just by their reaction to events.
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